Highest-Paying Administrative Assistant Jobs [2023]

Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of administrative assistants that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.

Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of administrative assistants:

• Associate Administrative Assistant is the highest-paid type of administrative assistant with an average salary of $46,939 and an average hourly rate of $22.57.

• The second highest-paying type of administrative assistant is administrative assistant/technical, with an average salary of $42,541.

• The average administrative assistant salary is $34,945 per year, and the average hourly pay is $16.80.

Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs

Background

Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as an administrative assistant, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of administrative assistants are so that you can plan your career progression.

Here are the top salaries for different types of administrative assistants:

1. Associate Administrative Assistant

   Average Salary: $46,939

   An associate administrative assistant is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties to support the business operations, ensuring the timely submission of deliverables. Associate administrative assistants work closely with the financial department, especially on organizing financial reports, issuing invoices, verifying time sheets for payroll purposes, and releasing petty cash. They also manage meeting and conference schedules, coordinate with suppliers and third-party vendors for inventories, and sort documents for reference. An associate administrative assistant must have excellent communication and organization skills, as well as the knowledge of the data processing procedures to update information and track business transactions within the database.

2. Administrative Assistant/Technical

   Average Salary: $42,541

   An administrative assistant/technical is primarily responsible for performing clerical and support tasks in a company, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. They must produce progress reports, process documentation, receive communication letters, manage schedules, and even greet visitors. There are also instances when an administrative assistant/technical has to answer calls and correspondence, respond to inquiries, address issues and concerns, and resolve them promptly and professionally. Furthermore, it is essential to maintain records of all transactions, coordinate with different departments, and adhere to the company’s policies and regulations.

3. Accounts Payable/Administrative Assistant

   Average Salary: $41,382

   An accounts payable/administrative assistant works alongside the department head. This position focuses on the administrative side of a budgeting department. They are responsible for organizing a company’s financial records, which include all documentation of financial transactions, such as invoices and receipts. They also manage all paperwork needed by their department.

4. Administrative Assistant And Recruiter

   Average Salary: $40,247

   An administrative assistant and recruiter’s primary task is finding new personnel for a company. They provide accurate assessments of applicants, go over resumes, and select the best options. A recruiter works alongside supervisors and the human resources department to determine how to fill positions. Additionally, an administrative assistant and recruiter handles the data for applicants and newly recruited employees. They must be able to quickly discern talent, and they must have strong interpersonal and communication skills.

5. Finance/Administrative Assistant

   Average Salary: $39,756

   A finance administrative assistant is responsible for performing clerical duties and basic bookkeeping tasks to support financial operations under the supervision of financial executives. Finance administrative assistants generate financial and business reports, update account information on the database, assist with payroll release, and help the accounting staff in resolving financial discrepancies and disputes. They also reach out to the clients for payments and billing, respond to their inquiries and concerns, and escalate their complaints to the supervisor for immediate resolution.

Below is a full table of the average pay for various administrative assistant that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Administrative Assistants

Methodology

Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.

Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for administrative assistants.

Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Administrative Assistant Jobs FAQs

1. What is the highest-paid administrative assistant job?

   The highest-paid administrative assistant job is an associate administrative assistant. Associate Administrative Assistants earn an average salary of $46,939, which is $ 22.57 hourly.

   An associate administrative assistant is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties to support the business operations, ensuring the timely submission of deliverables. Associate administrative assistants work closely with the financial department, especially on organizing financial reports, issuing invoices, verifying time sheets for payroll purposes, and releasing petty cash. They also manage meeting and conference schedules, coordinate with suppliers and third-party vendors for inventories, and sort documents for reference. An associate administrative assistant must have excellent communication and organization skills, as well as the knowledge of the data processing procedures to update information and track business transactions within the database.

2. What is a good salary for an administrative assistant?

   A good salary for an administrative assistant is $34,945 or more. The average administrative assistant salary is $34,945, so those making at least $34,945 are earning above-average paychecks.

   Keep in mind, however, that the average administrative assistant salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.

   In addition, if you’re just starting your career as an administrative assistant, the average entry level salary is $25,461, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $34,945 average, as this includes all administrative assistants of all skill and experience levels.

3. Do Administrative Assistant jobs pay well?

   No, administrative assistant jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some administrative assistant jobs pay better than others, but the average administrative assistant salary of $34,945 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.

   In addition to this, many administrative assistant jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of administrative assistants earning $56,925 a year on average.

   Administrative Assistants’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as an administrative assistant. Do your research on the going rate for an administrative assistant in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.

4. Where do administrative assistants get paid the most?

   Administrative Assistants get paid the most in Alaska. In Alaska, administrative assistants earn an average annual salary of $42,135 and an average hourly wage of $20.26.

   Following AK, the states with the highest-paid administrative assistants are Massachusetts, Washington, and Connecticut, with average annual salaries of $41,809, $39,890, and $40,618 respectively.

   The cities with the highest-paid administrative assistant salaries are:

   1. San Francisco, CA – $45,740

   2. Washington, DC – $42,712

   3. Boston, MA – $41,751

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.